Before building my locost, I would like to know if any LB's have considered using a Volkswagen Golf 8v GTI engine with gearbox? Can a front-wheel drive engine be converted for use in a rear-wheel driven Locost?

Morning Jayce

This question comes up quite often, as does the Peugeot 205GTi engine choice.
The recurring problem is mating these engines to RWD gearbox options e.g. Sierra type 9.

The short answer is yes anything is possible, but in terms of cost, complexity and end benefit it never seems worth it.

You will save a huge amount of build time by sticking to well proven engine choices such as Pinto, Zetec, VX XE etc and more help and advice will be available on forums like this.

HTH

Cheers

Nick

Nick, thanks for the advice. The reason for the question stems from the fact that there is a limited number of late model vehicles in South Africa which are rear wheel driven. I am trying to stick to engines that are fairly new as parts availability is better.

There's bit in the "haynes car builder's manual" about adaptor plates for matching dissimilar gearbox/engine combinations, I could post it if you like.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Jayce, a fellow S African!

Why don't you have a look at Toyota, Sa has got plenty lying around, I'm not sure if you got those jap import guys in PMB but there are plenty in JHB.

You could get a 20v for around R4000 (+-116 kw), 16v(4age) +-R3200 (96kw) or a nice little 4agze (supercharged 16v) for around R3500.

g/box's no prob, use the 1's from the old box shape rear wheel drive corrola if I'm not mistaken.

Which golf would u b looking at, the 8v or 16v?

cheers
darren

Chris,

Could you post the adapter info. for us?

I would like to see what's involved and might be useful for others to get a better understanding.

Cheers

Nick

Thanks Chris, the information would be useful. Darren I was looking at the 8v, because it is cheaper and apparently a lot more reliable than the 16v.

I will keep an eye out for the toyota engines as that was going to be my next point of departure. Although I am considering looking at the nissan 1400 ldv setup, and or the mazda rustler, ford bantam ldv setup. I need to investigate the suitabulity of their gear ratios for a locost. Although I must admit the nissan 1400 has always been a nice nippy little thing. Picking up relatively new engines and gearboxes for these should be relatively easy. What do you think?

Regards Jayce

cheers

jayce

Mmm, I'm not sure sure about the nissan 1400, I'd rather put the ford 1600 crossflow ,if you don't want to go toyota,as many of the builders do, and as I myself have done.they easy to get and parts are dirt cheap!

you could choose from a few setups:
cortina 4 speed g/box, with cortina 3.7 diff or the escort 5 speed with the escort 3.89 diff.

The standard birkins we've got here run the last setup.

besides, with a little work u can get around 100hp on the wheels, even more because of your low altitude. to do this, you need to port the head, kent 244 cam( 288'or 290'?), with twin 40's and a nice exhaust,perhaps with 1300 pistons (see pic on left). Again this is what our standard lotus here runs.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a birkin outlet in Pietermaritzburg, so give them a ring for some parts if you need, but they'll prob cost a bomb!

cheers darren

[Edited on 21/10/03 by darren(SA)]